New Member, Looking At Getting A 1995 Riviera SC

Hello there all.

As the title suggests, I am looking at buying a 1995 Buick Riviera SC. My current faithful driver since 2013, a 1986 AMC Eagle, is undoubtedly leaking oil from the rear main seal conveniently right onto the exhaust. While she runs and drives very well, I can't be driving around with a cloud behind me. So the time has come to retire her from daily service so I can do the work I need to as I can and keep her as a nice day/car show driver. Which brings us to the Buick.

I found one which is a white on blue leather supercharged with about 142k miles. The body looks very clean from the photos and aside from the carpets which look faded or dirty to me, the rest of the interior is in nice shape.

So what are the common problem areas to be aware of? My research has shown possible problems with a pin in the steering column and bad fuses/wires causing electrical issues? Anything else? The asking price is $3250. What is a reasonable price?

I've always liked the 95-99 Riviera's, and with my experience with my AMC I am no stranger to unusual cars made of hard to find parts. However I need something that is dependable.

Thank you all for your wisdom and expertise, and Happy Thanksgiving!

I have had two 95 SC Rivs, the transmission is weaker in the 95's. HD transmissions were installed in the 96-99's. My first Riv the trans was shot at 85,000, my present 95 only has 32,000 miles on and it works fine. I would be careful and not do any mods on a 95 because of the weaker transmission. That being said I love the car, the series 1 motor puts it's power out at a lower RPM than the series 2 motors (96-99). I picked up mine for $6000 last year with only 30,000 miles on it, looks new with no rust. Less miles would be be better of course, there are still some around. Good Luck !!!

You can do a lot to clean up carpets -





The biggest problem I've had with my 97 is the security system runs the battery down fast if not driven daily, which I don't do.  I've had an HVAC door module fail, had to replace a window motor and switch, a starter relay, but other than that I believe it's just been regular maintenance.  The belts are hell to change on this car.  The coolant hoses that go to the heater are nearly impossible to change.  There are a couple plastic elbows on the accessory tensioner that you'll want to replace with metal ones (for some reason the engine coolant passes through the accessory tensioner).  I don't regret buying my Riviera at all though, no car is perfect and most are worse.  8th gen Rivs are getting hard to find in good condition, odds are there isn't another one available in easy driving distance, but you could get on autotempest.com and look.  3250 is around the ballpark for a clean 95 with 140k, maybe high by a few hundred dollars, then again, not having to drive halfway across the country to get a car is worth something too.

https://syracuse.craigslist.org/cto/d/riviera-1996-supercharger/6750278876.html       I agree with jack, a little high with all those miles.

https://www.lafontainegm.com/VehicleDetails/used-1998-Buick-Riviera-2dr_Cpe_%28CMI%29-Highland-MI/3313003793?utm_source=lotlinx&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=lotlinx&utm    Not sure where you live, but if you can afford it you can save yourself some trouble and buy something like this.

IMO, I would only go for a 95 if it was a low mileage well cared for car.
96 and up with the series II is easier to maintain/mod. 98-99 best yet.
Jbird

This sounds like a nice 95, I would hope they are negotiable.

https://limaohio.craigslist.org/cto/d/buick-riviera/6728080511.html

Jbird

jbird wrote:

This sounds like a nice 95, I would hope they are negotiable.

https://limaohio.craigslist.org/cto/d/buick-riviera/6728080511.html

Jbird

If they've got any sense they are. I get the impression 8th gen Rivs are hard to move these days. With that high of a price though, I bet they're thinking it's worth more than it is.

Hw1411

I own 3, 8th gen Rivs. One is a 99 and two are supercharged 95's . They both are for sale and run and drive great. 196K kilometers (117 K miles), 240K kilometers. The issues I have had, spread over all three cars) and repaired over the last 10 years include: engine vibration due to faulty crank pulley vibration dampener. Water pump, ABS check light on due to faulty brake pressure module. Oil pan gasket, Intake manifold gasket. Passanger door lock actuator, A/C Compressor clutch bearing making a growling noise, Super charger coupling (makes a rattling sound when worn), front trans mount, Powertrain control module ( computer), crank position sensor, purge canister evap solenoid LF wheel bearing, stabilizer links, control arm bushings, brake pads and rotors,rear air shocks and front struts. Many of these failed parts were procured from our local pick n pull wrecking yard at very reasonable prices from other models of GM cars that use the exact same parts.
Cheers
Harry